Forever chemicals like PFAS have permeated much of the country’s water supply for decades. These containments are linked to severe health problems, yet critics say federal and state government efforts to clean up waterways in places like North Carolina's Cape Fear River aren't doing nearly enough.Featuring:<ul><li><a href="https://www.wunc.org/people/celeste-guajardo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Celeste Guajardo</a>, environment reporter at WUNC News</li><li><a href="https://www.npr.org/people/919093243/will-stone" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Will Stone</a>, editor and reporter for NPR's Science Desk</li></ul>Links:<ul><li>NPR: <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/04/28/nx-s1-5801645/maha-epa-pesticide-glyphosate-trump" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The MAHA movement is mad about the weedkiller glyphosate and Trump's EPA</a></li></ul>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

<description>
 &lt;p&gt;Forever chemicals like PFAS have permeated much of the country’s water supply for decades. These containments are linked to severe health problems, yet critics say federal and state government efforts to clean up waterways in places like North Carolina's Cape Fear River aren't doing nearly enough.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Featuring:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wunc.org/people/celeste-guajardo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Celeste Guajardo&lt;/a&gt;, environment reporter at WUNC News&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.npr.org/people/919093243/will-stone" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Will Stone&lt;/a&gt;, editor and reporter for NPR's Science Desk&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Links:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;NPR: &lt;a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/04/28/nx-s1-5801645/maha-epa-pesticide-glyphosate-trump" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;The MAHA movement is mad about the weedkiller glyphosate and Trump's EPA&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;See Privacy Policy at &lt;a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;https://art19.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; and California Privacy Notice at &lt;a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
 </description>

Water containments like PFAS are linked to severe health problems. So why are they still in our water?

The shortsighted politics of forever chemicals

There are tens of thousands of Indigenous mounds located throughout the United States. For Native Americans, these earthen structures are revered as sacred places. Despite their importance to Native cultures, many of these sites have been damaged or destroyed in the past, and very few are actually owned by tribes today. But the fascinating story of one mound in Franklin, North Carolina is highlighting recent efforts to preserve these important sites and put them back in tribal hands.Featuring:<ul><li>Angelina Jumper, cultural resources supervisor for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians</li><li>Lilly Knoepp, NC Local’s regional reporter for Western North Carolina</li><li>Ben Steere, archaeologist and professor at Western Carolina University</li><li>Johi Griffin, tribal historic sites keeper for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians</li></ul>Links:<ul><li><a href="https://nclocal.org/2026/03/19/dozens-of-indigenous-mounds-in-north-carolina-why-do-tribes-only-own-a-few/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NC Local: There are dozens of Indigenous mounds in North Carolina. Why do tribes only own a few?</a></li><li><a href="https://nclocal.org/thetrailhead/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Trailhead</a> newsletter from Lilly Knoepp and NC Local</li></ul> Cover image: Noquisiyi Mound in Franklin, North Carolina. Photo by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Hkeely" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Harrison Keely</a>/<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0</a>.See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

<description>
 &lt;p&gt;There are tens of thousands of Indigenous mounds located throughout the United States. For Native Americans, these earthen structures are revered as sacred places. Despite their importance to Native cultures, many of these sites have been damaged or destroyed in the past, and very few are actually owned by tribes today. But the fascinating story of one mound in Franklin, North Carolina is highlighting recent efforts to preserve these important sites and put them back in tribal hands.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Featuring:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Angelina Jumper, cultural resources supervisor for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Lilly Knoepp, NC Local’s regional reporter for Western North Carolina&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Ben Steere, archaeologist and professor at Western Carolina University&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Johi Griffin, tribal historic sites keeper for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Links:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://nclocal.org/2026/03/19/dozens-of-indigenous-mounds-in-north-carolina-why-do-tribes-only-own-a-few/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;NC Local: There are dozens of Indigenous mounds in North Carolina. Why do tribes only own a few?&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://nclocal.org/thetrailhead/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;The Trailhead&lt;/a&gt; newsletter from Lilly Knoepp and NC Local&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Cover image: Noquisiyi Mound in Franklin, North Carolina. Photo by &lt;a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Hkeely" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Harrison Keely&lt;/a&gt;/&lt;a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Creative Commons Attribution 4.0&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;See Privacy Policy at &lt;a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;https://art19.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; and California Privacy Notice at &lt;a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
 </description>

The fascinating story of one mound in Franklin, North Carolina is highlighting efforts to preserve these important sites and put them back in tribal hands.

Sacred soil: Saving Native American mounds

In 1988, professional basketball came to North Carolina with the arrival of the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA. Desperate to make a splash, the new team made an unconventional early hire; they selected a famous fashion designer to create their uniforms. The Hornets lost 60 games during that bumpy first season, but they looked incredible while doing it. And their iconic look — purple, teal and pinstripes — would launch a global fashion trend that endures today.A version of this episode originally published on February 2, 2024.Featuring:<ul><li>Alexander Julian, fashion designer and creator of the original Charlotte Hornets uniform</li><li>Crystal McCrary McGuire, writer and documentary filmmaker</li></ul>Links:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2gMyjNiEVM" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Watch video</a>&nbsp;from the 1988 Charlotte Hornets uniform reveal press conference.</li></ul> Cover photo: A Charlotte Hornets-branded Starter jacket that was wildly popular during the 1990s.See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

<description>
 &lt;p&gt;In 1988, professional basketball came to North Carolina with the arrival of the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA. Desperate to make a splash, the new team made an unconventional early hire; they selected a famous fashion designer to create their uniforms. The Hornets lost 60 games during that bumpy first season, but they looked incredible while doing it. And their iconic look — purple, teal and pinstripes — would launch a global fashion trend that endures today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;A version of this episode originally published on February 2, 2024.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Featuring:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Alexander Julian, fashion designer and creator of the original Charlotte Hornets uniform&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Crystal McCrary McGuire, writer and documentary filmmaker&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Links:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2gMyjNiEVM" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Watch video&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;from the 1988 Charlotte Hornets uniform reveal press conference.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Cover photo: A Charlotte Hornets-branded Starter jacket that was wildly popular during the 1990s.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;See Privacy Policy at &lt;a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;https://art19.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; and California Privacy Notice at &lt;a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
 </description>

The Charlotte Hornets of the NBA lost 60 games in 1988, but they looked incredible while doing it. Their iconic uniforms would launch a global fashion trend.

How purple and teal became the colors of the 90s

Data centers projects are expanding throughout the US at hyperspeed and hyperscale. These developments are reshaping small towns, consuming vast amounts of power and striking deals that aren't always clear. And in many places, like rural North Carolina, people are starting to voice concerns in the voting booth.Featuring:<ul><li>Zachary Turner, reporter at WFAE in Charlotte, NC</li><li>Adam Wagner, editor/reporter with the NC Newsroom</li></ul>Links:<ul><li>Check out the 6-part collaborative reporting series <a href="https://www.wunc.org/tags/data-centers-project" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hyperspeed, Hyperscale: Inside the Data Center Boom Reshaping NC Communities</a></li></ul> Cover photo: An anti-data center campaign sign on a car in Stokes County, North Carolina. Credit: Zachary Turner / WFAE NewsSee Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

<description>
 &lt;p&gt;Data centers projects are expanding throughout the US at hyperspeed and hyperscale. These developments are reshaping small towns, consuming vast amounts of power and striking deals that aren't always clear. And in many places, like rural North Carolina, people are starting to voice concerns in the voting booth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Featuring:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Zachary Turner, reporter at WFAE in Charlotte, NC&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Adam Wagner, editor/reporter with the NC Newsroom&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Links:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Check out the 6-part collaborative reporting series &lt;a href="https://www.wunc.org/tags/data-centers-project" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Hyperspeed, Hyperscale: Inside the Data Center Boom Reshaping NC Communities&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Cover photo: An anti-data center campaign sign on a car in Stokes County, North Carolina. Credit: Zachary Turner / WFAE News&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;See Privacy Policy at &lt;a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;https://art19.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; and California Privacy Notice at &lt;a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
 </description>

These developments are reshaping small towns, consuming vast amounts of power and striking deals that aren't always clear. 

Opposition to data centers is catching fire

Flush with billions of dollars from federal funding, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is expanding its permanent presence on the ground by opening field offices and creating new detention centers. A majority of these divisive ICE projects are happening in the South, including several proposed facilities in North Carolina. But communities, from large metropolitan areas to rural small towns, are pushing back.Featuring:<ul><li><a href="https://www.wunc.org/people/aaron-sanchez-guerra" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aaron Sánchez-Guerra</a>, race, class &amp; communities Reporter at WUNC News</li><li>Cal Bryant, editor at the <a href="https://www.roanoke-chowannewsherald.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald</a></li><li><a href="https://www.npr.org/people/2101350/eric-westervelt" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eric Westervelt</a>, senior editor-correspondent at NPR</li></ul> Links:<ul><li>WUNC News: <a href="https://www.wunc.org/race-class-communities/2026-03-24/proposed-ice-detention-facilities-face-local-opposition" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">From rural towns to urban centers, proposed ICE detention facilities face local opposition</a></li><li>NPR: <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/03/23/g-s1-114107/ices-growing-detention-footprint-and-the-communities-fighting-back" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mapping ICE's expanding footprint, and the communities fighting back</a></li></ul> Cover photo: Lifelong Ahoskie, North Carolina resident Kim Hoggard participates in a protest on Saturday, March 14, 2026 against a proposed immigration detention facility in Hertford County. Credit: Aaron Sánchez-GuerraSee Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

<description>
 &lt;p&gt;Flush with billions of dollars from federal funding, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is expanding its permanent presence on the ground by opening field offices and creating new detention centers. A majority of these divisive ICE projects are happening in the South, including several proposed facilities in North Carolina. But communities, from large metropolitan areas to rural small towns, are pushing back.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Featuring:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.wunc.org/people/aaron-sanchez-guerra" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Aaron Sánchez-Guerra&lt;/a&gt;, race, class &amp;amp; communities Reporter at WUNC News&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Cal Bryant, editor at the &lt;a href="https://www.roanoke-chowannewsherald.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.npr.org/people/2101350/eric-westervelt" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Eric Westervelt&lt;/a&gt;, senior editor-correspondent at NPR&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Links:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;WUNC News: &lt;a href="https://www.wunc.org/race-class-communities/2026-03-24/proposed-ice-detention-facilities-face-local-opposition" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;From rural towns to urban centers, proposed ICE detention facilities face local opposition&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;NPR: &lt;a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/03/23/g-s1-114107/ices-growing-detention-footprint-and-the-communities-fighting-back" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Mapping ICE's expanding footprint, and the communities fighting back&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Cover photo: Lifelong Ahoskie, North Carolina resident Kim Hoggard participates in a protest on Saturday, March 14, 2026 against a proposed immigration detention facility in Hertford County. Credit: Aaron Sánchez-Guerra&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;See Privacy Policy at &lt;a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;https://art19.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; and California Privacy Notice at &lt;a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
 </description>

ICE is expanding its facilities in the South, but communities, from large metropolitan areas to rural small towns, are pushing back.

ICE's building boom and the communities fighting back

Each week, host Anisa Khalifa tells one story from our home in North Carolina, at the crossroads of the South. From news to arts and culture,&nbsp;WUNC News’ “The Broadside” dives into issues that might not make the front page, but deserve a closer look. Along the way, we explore the nuances of our home — and how what happens here ripples across the country. Find new episodes of “The Broadside” every Thursday.

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